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Senna polyphylla (Jacq.) Irwin & Barneby
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Cassia polyphylla |
| Common Name: | Desert Cassia, 多叶决明 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Bahamas |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, able to grow up to about 1.5 - 2.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Compound leaves with fine and feathery leaflets, green to greyish-green, each leaf usually has 3 - 15 leaflets measuring about 0.4 - 1 cm long. |
| Flowers | 5-petaled yellow flowers, measuring about 2.5 cm wide, usually in axillary racemes. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a brown seedpod, measuring about 8 - 15 cm long. |
| Etymology | Genus Senna is derived from the Arabic name "sana", which refers to the laxative leaves and pods. Species polyphylla means with many leaf segments or many-leaved. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Older stems are dark grey. |
| Mature Bark Texture | Scaly |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1159 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2452 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
